Mudavadi's visa warning to Kenyan youth sparks social media storm

A wave of criticism has erupted on social media following remarks by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who cautioned the youth against irresponsible online conduct, warning it could lead to visa denials.

While several Kenyans welcomed the advice as timely and relevant in an increasingly digital world, many others dismissed it as tone-deaf and hypocritical, accusing the government of deflecting attention from its own failures.

Speaking in Vihiga County on Saturday, Mudavadi urged young people to be cautious about what they post online, noting that visa-issuing nations, including the United States, were establishing systems to scrutinise applicants' social media activity.

"I am telling the youth to be more reasonable and very careful about how they engage on social media. When you want to travel, your track record will be monitored, especially when you are applying for visas," he said.

"For you to get clearance on your travel documents, soon, your track record on social media engagements will play a critical role."

He added that social media activity was increasingly becoming a factor for employers when making hiring decisions.

“Don’t be surprised that even employers are now looking at your social media behavioural activities within the digital space. Be very careful not to shoot yourself in the foot,” the Prime CS warned.

Mudavadi also urged young people not to discredit the disciplined, hardworking, and focused youth of Kenya, stating that they serve as a good example to the world.

Kenyan employers are now checking social media before hiring. Don’t let a careless post cost you your next opportunity.#Youth pic.twitter.com/3zZ5yfPsOt

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) June 8, 2025

The comments stirred an immediate backlash online, particularly on X, where users called out the Prime CS over what they termed as misplaced priorities and government insincerity.

“Mudavadi does not have the morals to lecture young people in this country. He and his cabal of tumbocrats have been looting and destroying this country for decades. We cannot be taught about morals by an indisciplined person who breathes incompetence just from his facial expressions and seating postures,” user James041 wrote.

“Threats to deny visas or employment over social media posts are not just legally bankrupt but also desperate tools of cowards and fools. Any society that tolerates such nonsense is sliding toward tyranny,” Lawyer Willis Otieno said.

Another user, Nicholas W Robert, said: “We are always reasonable and careful, and that is why we're keeping the government in check throughout this period. You and your ilk, on the other hand, are busy unreasonably plundering public resources; that’s why you get offended by Kenyans’ decision to use social media wisely.”

Others argued that Kenya had sufficient resources to offer opportunities locally without requiring youth to rely on foreign visas.

“We don't need to go to the US to better our lives. Our country is rich enough to make us the best on the continent, but the political class is out here misusing our resources,” Kijana Graphite wrote.

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“We are a free people. We must exercise free speech on social media to the maximum. Threats of denial of visa and work over social media posts are nonsensical,” Levi Munyeri added.

Elvis Localman also weighed in, saying: “They don’t deny people visas for questioning the govt, they deny if they showed activities that support terrorism and terror groups, antisemitism, child trafficking or sexual abuse. Do not be afraid to demand accountability from the government because of a piece of paper called a visa.”

Mudavadi’s comments come at a time when some legislators are calling for tighter regulation of the digital space. During the National Prayer Breakfast held on May 27, Dagoretti North Member of Parliament Beatrice Elachi sparked debate online after she led a prayer seeking divine intervention against what she called an evil spirit behind the abuse of social media.

“Father, we pray that this social media has decided to run our country. That spirit, our Father in heaven, we want to confess as the legislature that indeed we must sort out that sector. Father, we shall have the courage to stand and believe what is good for our country, generation, and the future of Kenya. Father, forgive us,” Elachi prayed.

Mudavadi’s remarks have now deepened the growing divide between young Kenyans and the political elite, who many feel are quick to police citizens while failing to address long-standing issues such as corruption, unemployment, and inequality.